this computer

[barrybuttery]

i have a old packard bell comp
specs
pentium 1 166mb
4g hd
128 ram
28mb graphics

would i be abke to find some cheap upgrades for this and give it a bigger hardrive, ram and speed. I want to have a comp for my recording studio

[lgbpop]

What model is the P-B?

[barrybuttery]

rr im not sure it like 8 years old

[lgbpop]

If it doesn't have the model name/number on the computer case somewhere, right-click My Computer and then click Properties--it should say what you have in the lower part of the window (assuming your machine is running Win9x). P-B probably used several mobos from different mfrs; that info will help determine what if anything can be done to/for your machine.

[barrybuttery]

my machine is running on win 95 the machine is a packard bell pulsar 16

[liam858]

I want to have a comp for my recording studio


Hmmm, what do you want to use the computer for inparticular?

I don't think it would be upgradeable enough to serve as a primary computer in a studio.

Liam

[barrybuttery]

just to run a prgram called pro tracks plus it doesnt need that much memory im gonna try install it now

[lgbpop]

I found a few things about your machine. (See links below.) TigerDirect sells the proper RAM for half of what Crucial charges. Your motherboard is an Orlando 2D, #682; specs are in the last link. CPUs can probably still be found in a Google search or eBay, if Newegg/TigerDirect/ZipZoomFly don't have them. Prices are dirt-cheap if you can find the parts; if your wants aren't too involved, upgrading this "antique" could be fun. :D

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Packard+Bell%2BPulsar&mfr=Packard+Bell&tabid=CR&model=Pulsar+16&submit=Go
www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1265822&CatId=148
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/pb/mb/682.htm

[barrybuttery]

cool, i might mess about with the comp then i tried to install my software but i had no luck with that and i have ried to install xp but i havent got enough ram

[photolady]

Ram isn't the only thing you would need to run XP on that computer. XP needs also a processor higher than 300, or it wouldn't install or wouldn't run properly. Best to stick with something like Win98SE for that old box.

[lgbpop]

Photolady's right again....IF you wanted to install XP. Personally, I'd go with 98SE in that machine; it's very stable, runs fine on low MHz and RAM, and more user-friendly. (No rants today, people here know what a Luddite I am about XP.:D) Besides, those specs probably wouldn't support anything newer. Still would advise maxing out the RAM, though.

If you decide to go with SE, it's easy to find on eBay for around the $45 price range; look for the full-install version, complete with boot-up floppy and product key. If the book isn't included I have an extra.

[photolady]

Actually, with SE you don't need a bootup floppy, all you need is the CD because win98SE is a bootable cd.

[lgbpop]

Learn something new everyday. :) I never tried, to tell you the truth. Just figured that since it was there it was necessary to use it. Still a good thing to have in certain cases, I'd think.

[barrybuttery]

ok cool guys im looking into stuff

[photolady]

Yeah, it never hurts to have a boot disk prior winxp, 2000. I keep one around for ME, and win95-98, just in case. Of course you can get any one you want from www.bootdisk.com which is easier than having to buy one. ;)